i.e. Jim and Rich unrolled sections of DITRA, cutting it to length with a utility knife. I was thinking of mortaring cement board (extra expense) on top of the ditra. You should see full contact between the fleece-webbing and the thin-set mortar. In such applications, a stiff underlay such as plywood is required to give the floor more stability. If the mortar skims over, remove and reapply before installing the membrane. DITRA is a versatile product and can do more than just provide an uncoupling membrane. Ditto. After the DITRA was laid out, the guys mixed more Ditra-Set, and again, they let the mortar slake for about 15 minutes. Jim and Rich advise against spreading too much Ditra-Set at one time to prevent it from drying too quickly and because its easier to keep the DITRA lined up. See A Word About Unmodified Thin-Set below for an explanation. I am confused as to how youre allowed to walk on DITRA that hasnt set up yet. If you had correctly used a ditra trowel or one of the stipulated options at the correct angle your mortar bed beneath the ditra should be just over 1mm. Yes, the rolls are 3'3" x 53'3" it is the 3rd option on this product page: https://www.masterwholesale.com/schluter-ditra-xl.html, we need to update the title but the SKU is S DITRA XL175. I was all set on putting another layer of osb 11/32 over the floor but was told by Home Depot with the Xl Ditra thats not necessary for Natural Stone only if I was using other other Ditra. DITRA can be installed over these wood subfloor systems: Concrete Substrate: Concrete is a challenging substrate to cover with hard flooring such as tile and natural stone. Just keep a bit of distance from the chalk line so you dont blow it away with the hair spray. Full thin-set mortar coverage is essential for ensuring a secure bond and support for the tile. For most tile installations, Schluter - DITRA / DITRA XL eliminates the need for a second layer of plywood or for the use of the cementitious backerboard. I think what I like about it the most is the innovation in it. Heat causes materials to expand, and they shrink again when they cool. The tile assembly needs to be able to handle that which is why its important to incorporate an uncoupling membrane that allows for in-plane movement. High Variation Vinyl & Resilient Flooring, Provides uncoupling waterproofing vapor management and heavy load distribution to ensure the durability and integrity of tile installations, Only 1/8in.-thick simplifies transitions to lower surface coverings, Quick and easy to install over wood or concrete subfloors, 95% lighter than cement backerboard or plywood. This versatile underlayment is available from Lowes, The Home Depot and other home improvement stores. Very nice work there. Theyve used DITRA extensively on many jobs and highly recommend it, especially over cracked concrete. They do this because its difficult to snap chalk lines over DITRA even though it takes longer to complete the job. On the other hand, unmodified thin-set does not need air because it cures rather than dries. In addition, These Schluter-DITRA Membranes are lighter, thinner, and easier to apply than any other underlayment. Step 9: Once the DITRA is down, you can begin setting tile immediately. By the way, contractors sometimes refer to this product simply as DITRA, and we will too. By comparison, CBU backer board cost is $0.70 to $1.10 per square foot. Schluter DITRA and DITRA XL Membrane are uncoupling / waterproofing membranes that are recommended for any even and load-bearing substrates such as plywood or OSB. DITRA is also noted for its ease of use when compared with materials like cement backer board. Step 3: Embedding the DITRA First, apply the DITRA fleece-side down and solidly embed using a float or a DITRA roller. Apply thinset mortar along all seems -- if any -- between sections of DITRA. Heres a step-by-step DITRA installation guide. In addition to waterproofing, this critical membrane separates the tile assembly from movement in the underlying substrate, thereby eliminating the leading cause of cracking in a tiled surface. Thanks for listening. In reality, the DITRA membrane prevents the coupling in the first place. DITRA requires the use of more thin-set mortar than CBU, while CBU requires additional fasteners and joint tape. If the mortar is too thick, it may not transfer to the bonding fleece under the DITRA as required. In addition, DITRA-XL and standard 5/16 tile creates a floor height that is level with standard 3/4 hardwood flooring. ft. of substrate. Next, lift up a corner to check coverage. If so what needs to be done at the transitions? If they had begun laying tile, Jim and Rich would have filled a small section of cut-back cavities and then combed additional mortar over the DITRA. Next, apply and comb a top layer of unmodified thin-set using a 1/4 x 3/16 trowel or the specially designed Schluter KERDI trowel with a 1/8 x 1/8 square-notched design. . (10 mm) Does Schluter recommend filling of voids before laying tile? Now we dont know what to do with those gullies and dips. It comes in long rolls (i.e. Items may arrive in multiple shipments. Modified thinset must air-dry, and that can be a lengthy time-period because the mortar is sandwiched between impervious materials (the DITRA and the tile). They worked carefully to completely fill all the space and avoid leaving ridges on the surface. Can ditra be (or is it recommended to be) installed over cement board? Apply a strip of KERDI-BAND and push it firmly in to the mortar with a trowel. I have walked the floor a few times and you can see why the product works. Schluter DITRAunderlaymentis an uncoupling membrane that allows the tile floor to move (in-plane) relative to the substrate, eliminating the major causes for cracked and delaminated tile. How do I remove the memory from a role of DITRA? Adjacent pieces of DITRA were butted against each other, and Jim and Rich were careful to avoid overlap (thereby creating a height difference). Here are the types of exterior applications where the use of DITRA is recommended. It can be confusing because when we hear uncoupling, we think of something being coupled or connected first. Im continuously impressed with the level of work I see from Jim and Rich. Some exclusions apply. Apply a thin layer of mortar with the flat side of the trowel, to produce solid contact with the substrate. or over,? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Home Flooring Pros is a consumer website that specializes in providing professional advice on different types of home flooring. With the flexible layer of DITRA installed, the tile isnt adhered to the substrate. Part of the beauty of DITRA is that its easy to cut, and theres no minimum size requirement. Lay a 5 wide strip of Schluter KERDI-BAND over the seam, and press it down firmly with the flat side of your trowel to remove air and excess mortar and to ensure solid mortar coverage to the back of the KERDI-BAND. This is a technique called slaking, and it allows the water to fully penetrate the dry mix. Were unable to ship this item to AK, GU, HI, PR, VI or foreign countries. Check out the installation handbook for even more information and certifications. tiles adhering to the pre-filled voids? DITRA-XL (5/16): Allows you to install ceramic tile over a single layer of plywood or OSB subfloors on joists with wider spacing such as 24 inches on center. My husband is trying for the first time to install a tile floor. Can you buy Ditra XL in a roll? He is using the Ditra underlayment, and it is being placed over a concrete floor. I cant wait to see the finished product. Apply thinset mortar to the surface of the DITRA sheet with a V-notch trowel. DITRA is fully waterproof; CBU allows water to pass through it, but is not damaged by the water. CBU structure does not offer this protection. You will be notified by email when the item arrives. 3. Mark the DITRA with a marking pen and cut it to size with a utility knife. Next, they would have set the tile in the typical manner. Combing the mortar in one direction also helps, making it easier to collapse the mortar ridges when embedding the DITRA. DITRA matting and tile help the unmodified thin-set retain more of its moisture as it cures, and this creates a stronger bond than modified thin-set can achieve. Should You Consider Switching to Cost-Plus Pricing? In addition, when unmodified thin-set cures in the presence of air, it does not cure as strong because some of the water in it evaporates. Pro-Tip:DITRA can be walked on immediately after; theres no need to wait for the mortar to cure. Step 1: Bring the matting up to room temperature, Step 2: Measure and cut the material needed, Step 3: Back-roll the section to take out the memory. Pro-Tip:A small v-notch trowel is also acceptable. Our website is supported by advertising. I think it probably took them a good while to figure out how to deal with the sheer stress in large tile floors, and this solution is very unique It basically decouples the mortar bed on the slab from the mortar bed with the tile, and it does it by using the geometric dove-tail shape to hold the top mortar bed in place. Which thickness you choose depends on the needs of the project youre tackling. Copyright 2022 Zonda Media, a Delaware corporation. Best Laminate Floor Cleaner | 2022 Floor Cleaner Reviews, Best Mops for Hardwood Floors | 2022 Mop Reviews, Best Laminate Floor Cutter Reviews and Lowest Prices, How to Clean Laminate Flooring | 2022 Cleaning Tips, Kitchen Hardwood Flooring | What You Need to Know, 16 or 19.2 O.C. Ditra Also Serves As A Waterproofing Layer That Protects Moisture-Sensitive Substrates Such As Plywood/Osb. Can the Ditra be placed flushed to the wall, or is the 1/2 margin required? Step 1: Ensure correct mortar consistency When installing DITRA, ensure the thin-set mortar is mixed to a fairly fluid consistency, but still able to hold a notch. For this project, the DITRA is being installed over radiant-heating element embedded in self-leveling mortar. Even a perfectly level subfloor wont guarantee a beautiful, long-lasting tile floor. Step 4: Measure the space, and cut the first piece of DITRA to fit. Heres a look at half the basement covered in DITRA. Unmodified thinset is a mixture of Portland cement which actually requires moisture to form a strong bond and achieves final set usually within 24 hours. Check out our guide to the many other types of underlayment. To ensure a waterproof seam where the wall meets the floor, use a 10 wide strip of KERDI-BAND centered in the corner using the same method outlined for waterproofing seams. What is the purpose of the 1/2 margin around the perimeter? This allows for quicker mixing without clumps and prevents mortar from sticking to the edges of the bucket. Does this get worked out in the fill the voids process whereby you basically re-float the surface and still have the ditra layer youre after? Heres a tools and materials list for installing DITRA matting: It is essential to use unmodified thin-set over DITRA. The area between the cut-out squares is actually flexible, but the squares themselves are rock-solid. Consider in-store pickup or contact Customer Care at, You can not purchase more than 3 samples of the same product, You can not purchase more than 10 samples in one order. Many professional tile setters believe that the higher cost of DITRA is offset by the fact that it takes less time to install than CBU does due to its ease of use. Wait approximately three hours for the thinset to harden before tiling. Whats confusing me is the instructions on preparing the subfloor. Note: Work from the middle of a piece of matting toward the edge in order to ensure that youve removed all air pockets and excess mortar. Then comb additional mortar using the notched side of the trowel. Mix the thin-set fairly loose but firm enough to hold a notch. Once the DITRA membrane is in place and before any tile is set, the next step is to cover the seams with an 8 wide layer of unmodified thin-set centered on the seam. So yes, be sure and leave a little space for this to happen. That said, the most important part of the whole thing is the ditra itself, specifically its uncoupling from subfloor, substrate, etc. Schluter Systems, How to Calculate How Much Wire You Need for Your DITRA-HEAT Installation, The Last Word (We Hope) on Vapor Barriers, A Builder's Guide to Breathable Indoor Air, Building a Deck With a Welded Steel Frame, Housing Market Slows as Fed Takes Aggressive Approach to Combat Inflation, When Hidden Defects Complicate a Simple Deck Replacement. Download DITRA Installation Handbook Download DITRA Uncoupling Data Sheet. A roll of DITRA can hold memory or shape, sometimes causing it to bounce or curl during installation, especially at the end of a roll. Abut the second piece of DITRA against the first on sides and, if necessary, ends too. Wouldnt this create a bunch of footprint sized indents (valleys), thereby defeating the flat surface? Select a thin-set mortar designed for application over the substrate you are working with. After about 24 hours, itll be ready for tile, and meanwhile Jim and Rich are getting started on the over half. Home Depot Coupons, Coupon Codes, 10% Off Sales FALL/WINTER 2020-2021, AJ Madison Coupons, Sales, Coupon Codes, 40+% Off FALL/WINTER 2020-2021, Lowes Coupons, Sales, Coupon Codes, 10% Off, Target Coupons, Sales, Coupon Codes, 10%-60% Off FALL/WINTER 2020-2021, Sears Coupons, Sales, Coupon Codes, 10% Off FALL 2020/WINTER 2021. The DITRA trowel from Schluter is the best choice. Can You Do a Mosaic on Laminate Countertops? Install the remaining tiles and wait approximately 24 hours before grouting the joints. Installing tile directly on concrete WILL result in significant cracking of the flooring within a short period of time when the concrete expands and contracts with changes in temperature. For more on buying, installing, pricing and caring for tile and stone floors click here. Be sure at least two inches of KERDI-BAND overlaps the floor. You normally dont want to do it in stages because the point of those waffles is to create a means of locking the tile to the ditra. It has an 11/64 x 11/64 square-notched design. Most retail flooring stores carry standard DITRA and DITRA-XL. Required fields are marked *. joist spacing with single-layer OSB or plywood subfloor for ceramic and porcelain tile installation, Double-layer OSB or plywood for natural stone installation, Existing vinyl over a suitable subfloor for ceramic and porcelain tile installation, Structural plank subfloors for tile or stone installation, Gypsum concrete underlay over wood or concrete subfloor, Exterior concrete floors, patios and walkways. More information here. One additional product is required, Schluter KERDI-BAND, a waterproof material used to seal the seams where layers of DITRA abut one another. DITRA is approved for use with ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone tile. Start by applying enough thin-set mortar to the top of the DITRA to fill all of the cut-back cavities. It is mortared to the DITRA underlayment, which in turn, is mortared to the subfloor. Pro-Tip: The guys say that the most likely mistake when installing DITRA is failing to fully seat the matting in the mortar. However, since DITRA is made of plastic, the chalk can be rubbed-off easily. Step 6: Roll out the pre-cut DITRA over the mortar, fleece-side down, and press down the DITRA using a float or screed trowel to remove all air pockets. truss and I-joist systems; green concrete; gypsum-based screeds; pre-stressed and post-tensioned concrete; and radiant-heated floors. Allow the mortar to sit for 5-15 minutes before using it. Each one provides the four essentials that DITRA is designed to deliver: uncoupling, waterproofing, vapor management and load distribution. They also scraped away excess mortar that oozed underneath the drywall. The major reason is that concrete can expand nearly twice as much as ceramic tile and grout. (19 mm)tongue-and-groove Thanks for visiting! For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. After the DITRA was in place, Rich used a grout float to firmly press the DITRA into the mortar, and the guys paid special attention to the edges. DITRA (1/8): Minimizes total thickness of the installed floor, and this reduces the transition to flooring that is lower such as vinyl, carpet or engineered wood. What about using a latex-modified thinset? Schluter DITRA and DITRA XL Membraneare uncoupling and waterproofing membranes that are recommended for any even and load-bearing substrate such as: plywood and OSB; 24" o.c. I just pulled up a tile and it was still very wet after 5 days. It can be installed over a variety of substrates including plywood, OSB, existing vinyl, structural planks, and concrete. Commonly called CBU or cement backer board, or more technically, cementitious backer units, cement board underlayment was originally designed as a substitute for drywall in showers because it is resistant to moisture and mold and wont deteriorate when wet. The result is that the tile is actually bonded only to the squares and not to the DITRA between the squares as much, but that ends up being OK. Your email address will not be published. DITRA is installed directly onto the wood subfloor, and tile is installed on top of the DITRA. I personally wouldnt prefill the ditra waffling as done in this project. Our goal is to deliver high-quality information to help homeowners decide which type of flooring to install in their homes. A waterproof barrier can be created using Schluter-DITRA because it is made from waterproof polyethylene. joist spacing with double-layer OSB or plywood subfloor for ceramic and porcelain tile installation, 24 O.C. This eliminates the transfer of stresses from the substrate to the tile covering. In fact, you dont even have to top coat before you lay tile you can put the thinset on in one step. Get all the latest information on Classes, Events, Sales and Offers. Or maybe I am wrong altogether and DITRA set is magical and does not conform to the laws of physics like gravity and displacement (the most likely explanation). Looks like a lot easier application, but just wondering. Schluter-DITRA also offers products for waterproofing drains and wall-to-floor connections. Schluter advises that at this point its perfectly acceptable to begin laying tile with an unmodified thinset. Apply a 10-inch wide strip of KERDI-BAND along all floor-to-wall transitions using thinset mortar. Note: Add water to your mixing pail before adding the thin-set mortar. The underside of the DITRA membrane contains free spaces between the cavities. DITRA offers faster, easier installation than cement backer board, especially when the project requires a large amount of trimming around obstacles such as support posts, drains, bathroom fixtures and door jambs. The goal was to make full contact between the fleece matting and the mortar. This item will be SHIPPED and should arrive in 714 days. Pickup for FREE today if ordered by 2pm local time. The term refers to the fact that the DITRA material prevents the tile mortar from sticking to the subfloor. Heres an overview of the locations where you can take advantage of the performance DITRA offers. ugh. How do I stop chalk lines from rubbing-off? In the meantime, you may browse the digital edition. Be sure to fill in all the squares -- commonly referred to as "waffles" -- of the surface of the DITRA with thinset. This means that when you use a notched trowel on it, the ridges created must stand up rather than settling. It is a waterproofing membrane and separation layer between tile and the subfloor, which is often made of wood. Shipping charges may apply. There would have been no problem accomodating dips of less than a mm with the tile bed had you followed the instructions. Next, the guys would unroll the DITRA over the Ditra-Set. Pro-Tip: Expect to use one 50 lb. Here are the tools and materials needed to complete this phase of the project. (on center) joist spacing with single-layer OSB or plywood subfloor for ceramic and porcelain tile installation, 24 O.C. For example, wood expands and contracts with seasonal changes. This makes it the right choice for use with DITRA. The guys also cut around the support posts, door jambs and threshold. See A Word About DITRA Thickness below for more information on your options. NOTE: Applying a thin-coat of mortar to the back of the tile with the non-notched edge, a technique known as back-buttering, is recommended when installing tiles 12x12 or larger. The result of Schluter-DITRAs performance is a tile floor with outstanding durability and resistance to cracks and moisture. A persons foot doesnt have enough psi to compress or crush the molded plastic. I believe the answer to that is NO. Schluter-DITRA: Your Uncoupling Questions, Answered. The DITRA-XL cost is $1.75 to $2.25 per square foot. When installed, the orange, square-pattern surface of the DITRA should face up. When you prefill the voids and then allow the mortar to dryyou have created a breakpoint between old and future mortar. The KERDI-BAND is applied using unmodified thin-set mortar. Step 2: Mortar application Apply thin-set to the area where the DITRA is to be installed, using the correct trowel size: x 3/16 (6mm x 5mm) v-notch OR A DITRA trowel: 11/64 x 11/64 (4.5mm x 4.5mm) square-notch.